The Rise of the White Lotus

Chapter 164 Just so you know, I don'st hate you.

Upon sending the message, Lexi immediately received a response to where she could meet him for the last time. After a heavy exhale, Lexi didn't wait for Churu to come back and went straight ahead to Liu Empire's main office.

It only took her half an hour to reach her destination despite driving at a normal speed. When Lexi was in the Liu Empire's enormous parking space and exited her car, she saw a familiar petite figure on the corner of her eye: it was Mia Chen.

Turning to confirm that she saw right, Lexi's brows raised when the figure where it originally stood wasn't there anymore. "Huh?" She murmured before Lexi shrugged her shoulders to forget she saw someone.

Since Morris Liu told her to go straight to his office, Lexi wasn't surprised that she no one halted her this time. She slowly walked and enter the establishment up to the elevator lift without any obstacle. Still, Lexi received odd glances from the employees who saw her and began whispering words she didn't care whatever criticism it is.

'Sure, gossip until your mouth's turn dry—this will be the last time I will be here anyway.' She mocked inwardly as Lexi kept her strong, proud front as she made her way to the elevator. When she was inside the lift, her brows arched seeing that the two female employees were hesitant to join her inside.

"Are you going in or not? You're wasting someone's time." Lexi flatly said as she altered her gaze to the two female employees.

It was not that she was displeased or anything of the sort but to Lexi, she wanted this to end as soon as possible. Hence, her unfiltered words could be mistaken for her being completely annoyed.

"Y-yes!" Stuttering, the woman bowed her head before she went inside, followed by her colleague.

Seeing that no one was entering anymore, Lexi leisurely pressed the top floor button where Morris Liu's office was. Unbeknownst to her, the two employees were stealing glances to her with a traumatized gaze.

"Which floor?" Suddenly, Lexi asked. Since she was near the elevator buttons, and the two female employees seemed like they didn't have the courage to speak their mind or even get closer to her, she might as well help their dilemma.

"38th floor, M-Madam."

Upon hearing what she was addressed, Lexi's brows raised as she turned her head towards the two simple-looking employees. She saw them gulped as if they were barely keeping their feet on the floor,? while their trembling knees nearly gave way.

'What's with these two?' With their pitiable state, Lexi chose not to correct how she was addressed because she didn't hold the title of being the future Madam Liu anymore. However, she was curious about why these two seemed too afraid of her.

Reaching the 38th floor, Lexi stepped aside even before the lift opened to let the two weird ladies exit the lift with ease. After all, they had surrounded the lift with extreme awkwardness.

Just as the elevator slowly opened, a beautiful woman was revealed standing in front of the lift. She was beautiful with a gentle, graceful aura emanating within her. Just looking at her innocent profile seemed to draw peace to someone—like an angel sent from heaven above to heal the world, but not to Lexi… or rather, the old Lexi.

"Miss Chen!" The two female employees courtly bowed their heads and unlike the frightened tone they had towards Lexi, they sounded friendly.

Mia Chen slightly bowed her head and with a smile that seemed to brighten the entire floor. "Oh, hi," She greeted in an oh-so soothing tone that was so reassuring and harmless.

Just two words from her and the two ladies blushed as if they were finally noticed by their idol. Even when Mia Chen entered the lift and until it closed, the two female employees stood there in a daze.

***

Inside the elevator, Lexi only cast Mia Chen a glance before she turned her eyes on the numbers that glowed when they passed each floor.

Unlike before, Lexi remained silent and pretended she was alone inside. In retrospect, just seeing Mia Chen or even her shadow would make her rampage—emotionally and physically. However, this time, it also surprised Lexi that she managed to keep her heart still. After all, it wasn't completely healed and she bore a deep grudge towards this woman.

"Lexi...?" After quite some time, Mia Chen decided to break the silence as she opened a conversation with her.

As expected, Mia Chen didn't receive a response from her, as if Lexi heard no one. Regardless, Mia Chen meekly smiled and resumed.

"I heard what happened and I— I am sorry." In the midst of her sentence, Mia Chen's voice cracked as if she was utterly guilty about Lexi's suicide.

"Apology accepted." Without turning her gaze to her, Lexi responded without batting an eye which surprised Mia Chen inwardly.

Mia Chen wanted to question her if she meant what she said since Lexi's unchangeable expression was hard to read. However, she was rendered speechless realizing that she would sound stupid if she continued her act.

Soon, the 'ding' sound indicating that they had arrived on the top floor before it opened. Lexi unhurriedly started to exit the elevator as she said;

"Ask your manager to enroll you in a better workshop—your acting sucks." With that said note, Lexi walked straight ahead to Morris Liu's office leaving Mia Chen with a clenched fist.

****

The moment Lexi entered Morris Liu's office, he was already sitting on the head seat at the set of sofas in the middle of his office. Morris Liu slightly tilted his head gesturing her to take a seat which Lexi did without any formalities or whatsoever.

Taking out a folded note from her handbag, Lexi slid it on the table towards him. "This is the time and place where you can meet Mr. Tanaka." She flatly informed before straightening her posture and she looked straight to his chilling eyes.

Without a word, Morris Liu picked up the folded note and skimmed the precise information of the said meeting. After that, his gaze then shifted to her before he nodded without a change in his front.

"Alright,"

For some time, Lexi and Morris Liu looked at each other without uttering a single word. None knew what they had in mind but surely, it was the words they wanted but chose not to say.

"CEO Liu, I trust that you will keep your words." Meekly smiling, Lexi broke their silence as she slowly stood from her seat. She then offered her hand to him for a done deal for the last time. She wanted to end this in a professional and peaceful way for their mutual closure.

Morris Liu looked down on her hand that was waiting for a handshake. He knew that if he did, she has no way to stall around. He knew that after this, he would be completely gone from her life. With just those thoughts, he felt his heart clenched.

It pained him to see the woman whom he kept pushing away had now decided to walk away in her own volition. Regardless, Morris Liu also understood that the pain he was experiencing right now could never compare to the heartaches she had gone through because of him. Therefore, no matter how much he hated it, his hand reached for hers for a brief, numb handshake.

"You have my word, Miss Yang."

"Well, then, I will have to excuse myself, Mr. Liu." After their short handshake, Lexi courtly bowed before she grabbed her handbag and prepared to leave his office.

Just as she was at the door, she stopped in her tracks, her hand on the door handle, and spoke without turning to see the man behind her.

"Just so you know, I don't hate you." With that said remarks, Lexi exited his office with a second hesitation.

Upon hearing her last statements, Morris Liu stared at her retreating back until the door was shut again. He stayed there for a while before he slowly sat on the seat with a bitter smile, "What a cruel woman,"